April 25, 2012

Feast of Saint Mark, Evangelist

So humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God,that he may exalt you in due time.Cast all your worries upon him because he cares for you.

Be sober and vigilant.Your opponent the Devil is prowling around like a roaring lionlooking for someone to devour.Resist him, steadfast in faith,knowing that your brothers and sisters throughout the worldundergo the same sufferings.The God of all gracewho called you to his eternal glory through Christ Jesuswill himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish youafter you have suffered a little.To him be dominion forever. Amen.

I write you this briefly through Silvanus,whom I consider a faithful brother,exhorting you and testifying that this is the true grace of God.Remain firm in it.The chosen one at Babylon sends you greeting, as does Mark, my son.Greet one another with a loving kiss.Peace to all of you who are in Christ.

R. (2) For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.or:R. Alleluia.The favors of the LORD I will sing forever;through all generations my mouth shall proclaim your faithfulness.For you have said, "My kindness is established forever";in heaven you have confirmed your faithfulness. R. For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.or:R. Alleluia.The heavens proclaim your wonders, O LORD,and your faithfulness, in the assembly of the holy ones.For who in the skies can rank with the LORD?Who is like the LORD among the sons of God? R. For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.or:R. Alleluia.Blessed the people who know the joyful shout;in the light of your countenance, O LORD, they walk.At your name they rejoice all the day,and through your justice they are exalted.R. For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.or:R. Alleluia.

Jesus appeared to the Eleven and said to them:"Go into the whole worldand proclaim the Gospel to every creature.Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved;whoever does not believe will be condemned.These signs will accompany those who believe:in my name they will drive out demons,they will speak new languages.They will pick up serpents with their hands,and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not harm them.They will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover."

Then the Lord Jesus, after he spoke to them,was taken up into heavenand took his seat at the right hand of God.But they went forth and preached everywhere,while the Lord worked with themand confirmed the word through accompanying signs.

[5b] Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God op-
poses the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

[6] Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that in due time
He may exalt you. [7] Cast all your anxieties on Him, for He cares about you.
[8] Be sober, be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring
lion, seeking some one to devour. [9] Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that
the same experience of suffering is required of your brotherhood throughout the
world. [10] And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who
has called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore, establish and
strengthen you. [11] To Him be the dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Epilogue

[12] By Silvanus, a faithful brother as I regard him, I have written briefly to you,
exhorting and declaring that this is the true grace of God; stand fast in it. [13]
She who is at Babylon, who is likewise chosen, sends you greetings; and so
does my son Mark. [14] Greet one another with the kiss of love.

5-11. The Apostle concludes his exhortation with a call to humility, which should
express itself in complete docility in the face of the trials God permits (verses 6-
7). This last piece of advice is often found in Sacred Scripture: “Cast your burden
on the Lord, and He will sustain you” (Psalm 55:22); Jesus also teaches that we
should trust in God’s fatherly providence (cf. Matthew 6:19-34). “You have such
care for each one of us”, St. Augustine exclaims, “as if you had no offers to care
for” (”Confessions”, 3, 11).

However, abandonment in God does not mean irresponsibility, so St. Peter re-
minds them there is always need to be watchful against the assaults of the devil,
who will pounce on us if we lower our guard (verse 8).

The description of the devil (etymologically the word means liar, detractor: cf. Re-
velation 12:9-10) as a roaring lion seeking someone to devour has often been ta-
ken up by the Saints. “He moves round each one of us”, St. Cyprian says, “like
an enemy who has us surrounded and is checking the walls to see if there is
some weak, unsecured part, where he can get in” (”De Zelo Et Livore”).

Christians “firm in the faith” will resist the attacks of the devil. The trials they suf-
fer (cf. 1:6-7; 4:13; 5:1-4) serve to purify them and are a pledge of the glory God
will give them: “For this momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight
of glory beyond all comparisons” (2 Corinthians 4:17). “So great is the good that
I hope for, that any pain is for me a pleasure” (St. Francis of Assisi, “Reflections
on Christ’s Wounds”, 1).

5. “You who are younger”: it is not clear whether he is addressing people who
are young in age or Christians who are not “elders” (priests), that is, lay people.

“God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble”: a quotation from Pro-
verbs (cf. James 4:6 and note on same), containing an idea which runs right
through the Old Testament (cf., e.g., Job 12:19; Psalm 18:88; 31:34) and the
teachings of Christ (cf., e.g., Luke 14:11). The Blessed Virgin proclaims this
truth in the “Magnificat”: “He has put down the mighty from their thrones, and
exalted those of low degree” (Luke 1:52).

“Humility is the source and foundation of every kind of virtue,” the Cure of Ars
teaches; “it is the door by which all God-given graces enter; it is what seasons
all our actions, making them so valuable and so pleasing to God. Finally, it
makes us masters of God’s heart, to the point, so to speak, of making Him our
servant; for God has never been able to resist a humble heart” (”Selected Ser-
mons”, Tenth Sunday after Pentecost).

8. For the third time, St. Peter exhorts the faithful to be sober; earlier he referred
to the importance of sobriety so as to put one’s hope in Heavenly things (1:13)
and to help one to pray (4:7). Now he stresses that it puts us on guard against
the devil.

Man should use the goods of this world in a balanced, temperate way, so as to
avoid being ensnared by them, thereby forgetting his eternal destiny: “Detach
yourself from the goods of the world. Love and practice poverty of spirit: be con-
tent with what enables you to live a simple and sober life. Otherwise, you will
never be an apostle” (St. J. Escriva, “The Way”, 631).

12. Silvanus, called Silas in the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 15:22), accompanied
St. Paul on his second apostolic journey through Asia Minor and Greece (cf.
Acts 15:36-18:22); he was therefore well known to the Christians addressed in
this letter.

From the reference St. Peter makes to him here, it is not possible to say for
sure whether Silvanus was simply the bearer of the letter, or acted as an ama-
nuensis who took down the Apostle’s dictation, or was an editor or redactor of
ideas the Apostle gave him (on this subject, see the Introduction to this Letter).

13. “Babylon”: this is a symbolic way of referring to Rome, the prototype of the
idolatrous and worldly city of the era. Some centuries earlier Babylon had been
the subject of severe reproaches and threats by the prophets (cf., e.g., Isaiah
13:47; Jeremiah 50-51). In the Book of Revelation Rome is also referred to by
this name (cf. e.g., Revelation 17-18).

The Mark referred to is the author of the second Gospel. Tradition says that he
acted as St. Peter’s interpreter in Rome. The Apostle calls him “son”, meaning
that he was spiritually his son, and implying that they had been close to each
other for a long time (cf. “The Navarre Bible: St. Mark”, pp. 56-57).

14. “The kiss of love”: St. Paul also, at the end of some of his letters, refers to
the “holy kiss” (cf. Romans 16:16; 1 Corinthians 16:20; 2 Corinthians 13:12; 1
Thessalonians 5:26), a mark of supernatural charity and shared faith. With this
meaning the gesture passed into primitive eucharistic liturgy (cf. note on 1 Co-
rinthians 16:20).

The final words, “Peace to all of you that are in Christ”, are similar to the way St.
Paul ends many of his letters; since the first age of the Church it has been used
in liturgical celebrations. St. Cyril of Jerusalem, for example, ends his baptismal
catechism with these words: “May the God of peace hallow you entirely, and
your body and your soul remain unsullied until the coming of the Lord Jesus
Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen” (”Mystagogical Catechesis”,
5, 23).

*********************************************************************************************
Source: “The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries”. Biblical text from the
Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries by members of
the Faculty of Theology, University of Navarre, Spain.

Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland, and
by Scepter Publishers in the United States.

[15] And He (Jesus) said to them (the Eleven), “Go into all the world and preach
the Gospel to the whole creation. [16] He who believes and is baptized will be
saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. [17] And these signs
will accompany those who believe; in My name they will cast out demons; they
will speak in new tongues; [18] they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any
deadly thing, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they
will recover.”

The Ascension

[19] So then the Lord Jesus, after He had spoken to them, was taken up into
Heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God.

The Apostles Go Forth and Preach

[20] And they went forth and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with
them and confirmed the message by the signs that attended it. Amen.

15. This verse contains what is called the “universal apostolic mandate” (paral-
leled by Matthew 28:19-20 and Luke 24:46-48). This is an imperative command
from Christ to His Apostles to preach the Gospel to the whole world. This same
apostolic mission applies, especially to the Apostles’ successors, the bishops
in communion with Peter’s successor, the Pope.

But this mission extends further: the whole “Church was founded to spread the
Kingdom of Christ over all the earth for the glory of God the Father, to make all
men partakers in redemption and salvation.... Every activity of the Mystical Body
with this in view goes by the name of ‘apostolate’; the Church exercises it through
all its members, though in various ways. In fact, the Christian vocation is, of its
nature, a vocation to the apostolate as well. In the organism of a living body no
member plays a purely passive part, sharing in the life of the body it shares at the
same time in its activity. The same is true for the body of Christ, the Church: ‘the
whole body achieves full growth in dependence on the full functioning of each part’
(Ephesians 4:16). Between the members of this body there exists, further, such
a unity and solidarity (cf. Ephesians 4:16) that a member who does not work at
the growth of the body to the extent of his possibilities must be considered use-
less both to the Church and to himself.

“In the Church there is diversity of ministry but unity of mission. To the apostles
and their successors Christ has entrusted the office of teaching, sanctifying and
governing in His name and by His power. But the laity are made to share in the
priestly, prophetical and kingly office of Christ; they have therefore, in the Church
and in the world, their own assignment in the mission of the whole people of God”
(Vatican II, “Apostolicam Actuositatem”, 2).

It is true that God acts directly on each person’s soul through grace, but it must
also be said that it is Christ’s will (expressed here and elsewhere) that men
should be an instrument or vehicle of salvation for others.

Vatican II also teaches this: “On all Christians, accordingly, rests the noble obli-
gation of working to bring all men throughout the whole world to hear and accept
the divine message of salvation” (”ibid.”, 3).

16. This verse teaches that, as a consequence of the proclamation of the Good
News, faith and Baptism are indispensable pre-requisites for attaining salvation.
Conversion to the faith of Jesus Christ should lead directly to Baptism, which
confers on us “the first sanctifying grace, by which Original Sin is forgiven, and
which also forgives any actual sins there may be; it remits all punishment due
for sins; it impresses on the soul the mark of the Christian; it makes us children
of God, members of the Church and heirs to Heaven, and enables us to receive
the other Sacraments” (”St. Pius X Catechism”, 553).

Baptism is absolutely necessary for salvation, as we can see from these words
of the Lord. But physical impossibility for receiving the rite of Baptism can be
replaced either by martyrdom (called, therefore, “baptism of blood”) or by a per-
fect act of love of God and of contrition, together with an at least implicit desire
to be baptized: this is called “baptism of desire” (cf. “ibid.”, 567-568).

Regarding infant Baptism, St. Augustine taught that “the custom of our Mother
the Church of infant Baptism is in no way to be rejected or considered unneces-
sary; on the contrary, it is to be believed on the ground that it is a tradition from
the Apostles” (”De Gen., Ad Litt.”, 10, 23, 39). The new “Code of Canon Law”
also stresses the need to baptize infants: “Parents are obliged to see that their
infants are baptized within the first few weeks. As soon as possible after the
birth, indeed even before it, they are to approach the parish priest to ask for the
Sacrament for their child, and to be themselves duly prepared for it” (Canon 867).

Another consequence of the proclamation of the Gospel, closely linked with the
previous one, is that “the Church is necessary”, as Vatican II declares: “Christ
is the one mediator and way of salvation; He is present to us in His body which
is the Church. He Himself explicitly asserted the necessity of faith and Baptism
(cf. Mark 16:16; John 3:5), and thereby affirmed at the same time the necessity
of the Church which men enter through Baptism as through a door. Hence they
could not be saved who, knowing that the Church was founded as necessary by
God through Christ, would refuse to enter it, or to remain in it” (”Lumen Gentium”,
14; cf. “Presbyterorum Ordinis”, 4; “Ad Gentes”, 1-3; “Dignitatis Humanae”, 11).

17-18. In the early days of the Church, public miracles of this kind happened
frequently. There are numerous historical records of these events in the New
Testament (cf., e.g., Acts 3:1-11; 28:3-6) and in other ancient Christian writings.
It was very fitting that this should be so, for it gave visible proof of the truth of
Christianity.

Miracles of this type still occur, but much more seldom; they are very exceptio-
nal. This, too, is fitting because, on the one hand, the truth of Christianity has
been attested to enough; and, on the other, it leaves room for us to merit through
faith. St. Jerome comments: “Miracles were necessary at the beginning to con-
firm the people in the faith. But, once the faith of the Church is confirmed, mira-
cles are not necessary” (”Comm. In Marcum, in loc.”). However, God still works
miracles through saints in every generation, including our own.

19. The Lord’s ascension into Heaven and His sitting at the right hand of the
Father is the sixth article of faith confessed in the Creed. Jesus Christ went up
into Heaven body and soul, to take possession of the Kingdom He won through
His death, to prepare for us a place in Heaven (cf. Revelation 3:21) and to send
the Holy Spirit to His Church (cf. “St. Pius X Catechism”, 123).

To say that He “sat at the right hand of God” means that Jesus Christ, including
His humanity, has taken eternal possession of Heaven and that, being the equal
of His Father in that He is God, He occupies the place of highest honor beside
Him in His human capacity (cf. “St. Pius V Catechism”, I, 7, 2-3). Already in the
Old Testament the Messiah is spoken of as seated at the right hand of the Al-
mighty, thereby showing the supreme dignity of Yahweh’s Anointed (cf. Psalm
110:1). The New Testament records this truth here and also in many other pas-
sages (cf. Ephesians 1:20-22; Hebrews 1:13).

As the “St. Pius V Catechism” adds, Jesus went up to Heaven by His own power
and not by any other. Nor was it only as God that He ascended, but also as man.

20. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, the evangelist attests that the words of Christ have
already begun to be fulfilled by the time of writing. The Apostles, in other words,
were faithfully carrying out the mission of our Lord entrusted to them. They begin
to preach the Good News of salvation throughout the known world. Their prea-
ching was accompanied by the signs and wonders the Lord had promised, which
lent authority to their witness and their teaching. Yet, we know that their apostolic
work was always hard, involving much effort, danger, misunderstanding, persecu-
tion and even martyrdom—like our Lord’s own life.

Thanks to God and also to the Apostles, the strength and joy of our Lord Jesus
Christ has reached as far as us. But every Christian generation, every man and
woman, has to receive the preaching of the Gospel and, in turn, pass it on. The
grace of God will always be available to us: “Non est abbreviata manus Domini”
(Isaiah 59:1), the power of the Lord has not diminished.

*********************************************************************************************
Source: “The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries”. Biblical text from the
Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries by members of
the Faculty of Theology, University of Navarre, Spain.

Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland, and
by Scepter Publishers in the United States.

Mass Readings

All wrap yourselves in humility to be servants of each other, because God refuses the proud and will always favour the humble. Bow down, then, before the power of God now, and he will raise you up on the appointed day; unload all your worries on to him, since he is looking after you. Be calm but vigilant, because your enemy the devil is prowling round like a roaring lion, looking for someone to eat. Stand up to him, strong in faith and in the knowledge that your brothers all over the world are suffering the same things. You will have to suffer only for a little while: the God of all grace who called you to eternal glory in Christ will see that all is well again: he will confirm, strengthen and support you. His power lasts for ever and ever. Amen.

I write these few words to you through Silvanus, who is a brother I know I can trust, to encourage you never to let go this true grace of God to which I bear witness.

Your sister in Babylon, who is with you among the chosen, sends you greetings; so does my son, Mark.

Jesus showed himself to the Eleven, and said to them: Go out to the whole world; proclaim the Good News to all creation. He who believes and is baptised will be saved; he who does not believe will be condemned. These are the signs that will be associated with believers: in my name they will cast out devils; they will have the gift of tongues; they will pick up snakes in their hands, and be unharmed should they drink deadly poison; they will lay their hands on the sick, who will recover.

And so the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven: there at the right hand of God he took his place, while they, going out, preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word by the signs that accompanied it.

Following are the Prayers after Low Mass which were prescribed by Pope Leo XIII who composed the Prayer to Saint Michael the Archangel, and were reinforced by Pope Pius XI and Pope Pius XII to pray for the conversion of Russia. These prayers were in effect until after Vatican II. A decade later Paul VI said, "satan has entered the sanctuary." Could the elimination of these powerful prayers with a ten year indulgence have played a huge part in allowing the devil such easy access? The answer is obvious. Below the normal Leonine Prayers is the longer version of the Prayer to St. Michael, composed by His Excellency Pope Leo XIII to defend against The Great Apostasy.

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen. (Said 3 times)

Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope. To thee to we cry, poor banished children of Eve. To thee do we send up our sighs, mouring and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us, and after this exile, show unto us the blessed Fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.

Pray for us, O holy Mother of God. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray.O God, our refuge and our strength, look down with mercy upon the people who cry to Thee; and by the intercession of the glorious and immaculate Virgin Mary, Mother of God, of Saint Joseph her spouse, of the blessed Apostles Peter and Paul, and of all the saints, in Thy mercy and goodness hear our prayers for the conversion of sinners, and for the liberty and exaltation of the Holy Mother the Church. Through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen.

Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle; be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray: and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God, thrust into hell satan and all the evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, Have mercy on us. Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, Have mercy on us. Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, Have mercy on us.

Complete Prayer to Saint Michael

The following is the longer version of the vital prayer composed by Pope Leo XIII in 1888 after his startling vision as to the future of the Church. This prayer was dedicated for the Feast of St. Michael 1448 years from the date of the election of the first Leo - Pope Saint Leo the Great. Everyone is familiar with the first prayer below which was mandated by His Holiness as part of the Leonine Prayers after Low Mass. After Vatican II, in legion with the devil Giovanni Montini outlawed this necessary prayer and then one wonders how "the smoke of satan" got into the sanctuary? The conciliarists wanted to make sure the words in bold below would never see the light of day again for in it Leo foretold what would happen: The shepherd would be struck, the sheep scattered. Below are both the short and longer versions of this poignant prayer which should never be forgotten.

Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle, be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him we humbly pray, and do thou, O heavenly hosts, by the power of God, thrust into hell satan and all the evil spirits who prowl about the world for the ruin of souls. Amen.

O glorious Archangel Saint Michael, Prince of the heavenly host, be our defense in the terrible warfare which we carry on against principalities and powers, against the rulers of this world of darkness, spirits of evil. Come to the aid of man, whom God created immortal, made in His own image and likeness, and redeemed at a great price from the tyranny of the devil. Fight this day the battle of our Lord, together with the holy angels, as already thou hast fought the leader of the proud angels, Lucifer, and his apostate host, who were powerless to resist thee, nor was there place for them any longer in heaven. That cruel, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil or Satan who seduces the whole world, was cast into the abyss with his angels. Behold this primeval enemy and slayer of men has taken courage. Transformed into an angel of light, he wanders about with all the multitude of wicked spirits, invading the earth in order to blot out the Name of God and of His Christ, to seize upon, slay, and cast into eternal perdition, souls destined for the crown of eternal glory. That wicked dragon pours out. as a most impure flood, the venom of his malice on men of depraved mind and corrupt heart, the spirit of lying, of impiety, of blasphemy, and the pestilent breath of impurity, and of every vice and iniquity. These most crafty enemies have filled and inebriated with gall and bitterness the Church, the spouse of the Immaculate Lamb, and have laid impious hands on Her most sacred possessions. In the Holy Place itself, where has been set up the See of the most holy Peter and the Chair of Truth for the light of the world, they have raised the throne of their abominable impiety with the iniquitous design that when the Pastor has been struck the sheep may be scattered. Arise then, O invincible Prince, bring help against the attacks of the lost spirits to the people of God, and give them the victory. They venerate thee as their protector and patron; in thee holy Church glories as her defense against the malicious powers of hell; to thee has God entrusted the souls of men to be established in heavenly beatitude. Oh, pray to the God of peace that He may put Satan under our feet, so far conquered that he may no longer be able to hold men in captivity and harm the Church. Offer our prayers in the sight of the Most High, so that they may quickly conciliate the mercies of the Lord; and beating down the dragon, the ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, do thou again make him captive in the abyss, that he may no longer seduce the nations. Amen.

V: Let us pray. O God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, we call upon Thy holy Name, and as suppliants, we implore Thy clemency, that by the intercession of Mary, ever Virgin, immaculate and our Mother, and of the glorious Archangel Saint Michael, Thou wouldst deign to help us against Satan and all other unclean spirits, who wander about the world for the injury of the human race and the ruin of our souls. Amen.

Prayer Before the Crucifix

Look down upon me, O good and gentle Jesus, while before Thy face I humbly kneel, and with burning soul pray and beseech Thee to fix deep in my heart lively sentiments of faith, hope and charity, true contrition for my sins, and a firm purpose of amendment; the while I contemplate with great love and tender pity Thy five most precious wounds, pondering over them within me, calling to mind the words which David Thy prophet said of Thee, my good Jesus: "They have pierced My hands and My feet; they have numbered all My bones."

Soul of Christ, sanctify me.Body of Christ, save me.Blood of Christ, inebriate me.Water from the side of Christ, wash me.Passion of Christ, strengthen me.O Good Jesus, hear me.Within Thy wounds, hide me.Suffer me not to be separated from Thee.From the malignant enemy, defend me.In the hour of my death, call me.And bid me come to Thee, that withThy saints I may praise Thee for ever and ever. Amen.

Indulgence of 300 days; if recited after devout reception of Holy Communion, seven years Raccolta 131)

Prayer for Vocations

O Lord Jesus Christ, Who didst take to Thyself a body and soul like ours, to teach us the glory of self-sacrifice and service, mercifully deign to instill in other hearts the desire to dedicate their lives to Thee. Give us PRIESTS to stand before Thine Altar and to preach the words of Thy Gospel; BROTHERS to assist the priests and to reproduce in themselves Thy humility; SISTERS to teach the young and nurse the sick and to minister Thy charity to all; LAY PEOPLE to imitate Thee in their homes and families. Amen.

1. Sign of the Cross: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

2. The Apostles Creed: I BELIEVE in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day He rose again. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty. From thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

3. The Lord's Prayer: OUR Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

4. (3) Hail Mary: HAIL Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now, and in the hour of our death. Amen. (Three times)

5. Glory Be: GLORY be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Fatima Prayer: Oh, my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, lead all souls to heaven, especially those in most need of your mercy.

Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness and our hope! To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve! To thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this vale of tears! Turn then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy towards us; and after this, our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus!

O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary! Pray for us, O holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Final step -- The Sign of the Cross

The Mysteries of the Rosary

By tradition, Catholics meditate on these Mysteries during prayers of the Rosary. The biblical references follow each of the Mysteries below.

St. Michael, the Archangel, defend us in battle Be our protection against the wickednessand snares of the devil;May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God, Cast into hell Satan and all the evil spiritswho prowl through the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen+

Evening PrayerSomeone has said that if people really understood the full extent of the power we have available through prayer, we might be speechless.Did you know that during WWII there was an advisor to Churchill who organized a group of people who dropped what they were doing every day at a prescribed hour for one minute to collectively pray for the safety of England, its people and peace?

There is now a group of people organizing the same thing here in America. If you would like to participate: Every evening at 9:00 PM Eastern Time (8:00 PM Central) (7:00 PM Mountain) (6:00 PM Pacific), stop whatever you are doing and spend one minute praying for the safety of the United States, our troops, our citizens, and for a return to a Godly nation. If you know anyone else who would like to participate, please pass this along. Our prayers are the most powerful asset we have. Please forward this to your praying friends.

Since the 16th century Catholic piety has assigned entire months to special devotions. The Church traditionally encouraged the month of April for increased devotion to Jesus in the Holy Eucharist. "The Church in the course of the centuries has introduced various forms of this Eucharistic worship which are ever increasing in beauty and helpfulness; as, for example, visits of devotion to the tabernacles, even every day; Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament; solemn processions, especially at the time of Eucharistic Congresses, which pass through cities and villages; and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament publicly exposed . . . These exercises of piety have brought a wonderful increase in faith and supernatural life to the Church militant upon earth and they are re-echoed to a certain extent by the Church triumphant in heaven, which sings continually a hymn of praise to God and to the Lamb 'Who was slain.'" --Pope Pius XII

ACT OF ADORATIONI adore Thee, 0 Jesus, true God and true Man, here present in the Holy Eucharist, humbly kneeling before Thee and united in spirit with all the faithful on earth and all the blessed in heaven. In deepest gratitude for so great a blessing, I love Thee, my Jesus, with my whole heart, for Thou art all perfect and all worthy of love.

Give me grace nevermore in any way to offend Thee, and grant that I, being refreshed by Thy Eucharistic presence here on earth, may be found worthy to come to the enjoyment with Mary of Thine eternal and everblessed presence in heaven. Amen.

FAITH IN THE EUCHARISTO my God, I firmly believe that Thou art really and corporally present in the Blessed Sacrament of the altar. I adore Thee here present from the very depths of my heart, and I worship Thy sacred presence with all possible humility. O my soul, what joy to have Jesus Christ always with us, and to be able to speak to Him, heart to heart, with all confidence. Grant, O Lord, that I, having adored Thy divine Majesty here on earth in this wonderful Sacrament, may be able to adore it eternally in Heaven. Amen.

PETITIONBelieving that Thou, my God, hast in any way revealed to us--grieving for all my sins, offenses and negligences--hoping in Thee, O Lord, who wilt never let me be confounded--thanking Thee for this supreme gift, and for all the gifts of Thy goodness--loving Thee, above all in this sacrament of Thy love--adoring Thee in this deepest mystery of Thy condescension: I lay before Thee all the wounds and wants of my poor soul, and ask for all that I need and desire. But I need only Thyself, O Lord; I desire none but Thee--Thy grace, and the grace to use well Thy graces, the possession of Thee by grace in this life, and the possession of Thee forever in the eternal kingdom of Thy glory.

FOR THE PEACE OF CHRISTO most sacred, most loving heart of Jesus, Thou art concealed in the Holy Eucharist, and Thou beatest for us still. Now as then Thou sayest, "With desire I have desired." I worship Thee, then, with all my best love and awe, with my fervent affection, with my most subdued, most resolved will. O make my heart beat with Thy heart. Purify it of all that is earthly, all that is proud and sensual, all that is hard and cruel, of all perversity, of all disorder, of all deadness. So fill it with Thee, that neither the events of the day nor the circumstances of the time may have power to ruffle it; but that in Thy love and Thy fear it may have peace. --Cardinal Newman

ACT OF LOVEI believe Thou art present in the Blessed Sacrament, O Jesus. I love Thee and desire Thee. Come into my heart. I embrace Thee, O never leave me. I beseech Thee, O Lord Jesus, may the burning and most sweet power of Thy love absorb my mind, that I may die through love of Thy love, who wast graciously pleased to die through love of my love. --St. Francis of Assisi

ACT OF REPARATIONSaint Margaret Mary Alacoque, well known in connection with devotion to the Sacred Herat of Jesus, led the way in making reparation to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament for the coldness and ingratitude of men. This prayer of hers can become our own as we attempt to make amends for our own and others' neglect of the great Sacrament of His love, the Eucharist.O kind and merciful savior, from my heart I earnestly desire to return Thee love for love. My greatest sorrow is that Thou art not loved by men, and, in particular, that my own heart is so cold, so selfish, so ungrateful. Keenly aware of my own weakness and poverty, I trust that Thy own grace will enable me to offer Thee an act of pure love. And I wish to offer Thee this act of love in reparation for the coldness and neglect that are shown to Thee in the sacrament of Thy love by Thy creatures. O Jesus, my supreme good, I love Thee, not for the sake of the reward which Thou hast promised to those who love Thee, but purely for Thyself. I love Thee above all things that can be loved, above all pleasures, and above myself and all that is not Thee, promising in the presence of heaven and earth that I will live and die purely and simply in Thy holy love, and that if to love Thee thus I must endure persecution and suffering I am completely satisfied, and I will ever say with Saint Paul: Nothing "will be able to separate us from the love of God." 0 Jesus, supreme master of all hearts, I love Thee, I adore Thee, I praise Thee, I thank Thee, because I am now all Thine own. Rule over me, and transform my soul into the likeness of Thyself, so that it may bless and glorify Thee forever in the abode of the saints.--Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque

OFFERINGMy Lord, I offer Thee myself in turn as a sacrifice of thanksgiving. Thou hast died for me, and I in turn make myself over to Thee. I am not my own. Thou hast bought me; I will by my own act and deed complete the purchase. My wish is to be separated from everything of this world; to cleanse myself simply from sin; to put away from me even what is innocent, if used for its own sake, and not for Thine. I put away reputation and honor, and influence, and power, for my praise and strength shall be in Thee. Enable me to carry out what I profess. Amen. --Cardinal Newman

The best, the surest , and the most effective way of establishing everlasting peace on the face of the earth is through the great power of perpetual adoration of the Blessed Sacrament." -- Pope John Paul II

"Could you not watch one hour?" -- Mark 14:37

I am happy to testify that many young people are discovering the beauty of adoration, whether personal or in community. I invite priests to encourage youth groups in this, but also to accompany them to ensure that the forms of adoration are appropriate and dignified, with sufficient times for silence and listening to the word of God. In life today, which is often noisy and scattered, it is more important than ever to recover the capacity for interior silence and recollection: Eucharistic adoration permits one to do this not only within one's "I" but rather in the company of that "You" full of love who is Jesus Christ, "the God who is near us."

Queen of Heaven rejoice, alleluia: For He whom you merited to bear, alleluia, Has risen as He said, alleluia. Pray for us to God, alleluia.

V. Rejoice and be glad, O Virgin Mary, alleluia.

R. Because the Lord is truly risen, alleluia.

Let us pray: O God, who by the Resurrection of Thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, granted joy to the whole world: grant we beseech Thee, that through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, His Mother, we may lay hold of the joys of eternal life. Through the same Christ our Lord.

Ant. Come, let us worship the Lord who speaks to us through the Gospel, alleluia.

Psalm 95A call to praise God

Encourage each other daily while it is still today (Hebrews 3:13).

Come, let us sing to the Lord * and shout with joy to the Rock who saves us.Let us approach him with praise and thanksgiving * and sing joyful songs to the Lord.

Ant. Come, let us worship the Lord who speaks to us through the Gospel, alleluia.

The Lord is God, the mighty God, * the great king over all the gods.He holds in his hands the depths of the earth * and the highest mountains as well.He made the sea; it belongs to him, * the dry land, too, for it was formed by his hands.

Ant. Come, let us worship the Lord who speaks to us through the Gospel, alleluia.

Come, then, let us bow down and worship, * bending the knee before the Lord, our maker.For he is our God and we are his people, * the flock he shepherds.

Ant. Come, let us worship the Lord who speaks to us through the Gospel, alleluia.

Today, listen to the voice of the Lord: Do not grow stubborn, as your fathers did in the wilderness, *when at Meriba and Massah they challenged me and provoked me, *Although they had seen all of my works.

Ant. Come, let us worship the Lord who speaks to us through the Gospel, alleluia.

Forty years I endured that generation. *I said, They are a people whose hearts go astray and they do not know my ways So I swore in my anger, * They shall not enter into my rest.

Ant. Come, let us worship the Lord who speaks to us through the Gospel, alleluia.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, *and to the Holy Spirit:as it was in the beginning, is now, *and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. Come, let us worship the Lord who speaks to us through the Gospel, alleluia.

If the Invitatory is not said, then the following is used:

God, + come to my assistance.Lord, make haste to help me.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Alleluia.

HYMN

Your hand, O Lord, has guidedYour Church from age to age;The wondrous tale is writtenSo clearly on each page;Our fathers praised your goodness,And we their deeds record;And both to this bear witness:One Church, one Faith, one Lord.

Your heralds brought glad tidingsTo greatest and to least;They told all men to hastenTo share the great Kings feast;And this was all their teachingIn every deed and word,To all alike proclaiming:One Church, one Faith, one Lord.

Through many days of darkness,Through many scenes of strife,The faithful few fought bravelyTo guard the Christian life;Their gospel of redemption,Sin pardoned, man restored,Was all in this enfolded:One Church, one Faith, one Lord.

Your mercy will not fail us,Nor leave your work undone;With all your strength to help us,The victry shall be won;And then by men and angelsYour name shall be adored,And this shall be their anthem:One Church, one Faith, one Lord,

Hear my voice, O God, as I complain, *guard my life from dread of the foe.Hide me from the band of the wicked, *from the throng of those who do evil.

They sharpen their tongues like swords; *they aim bitter words like arrowsto shoot at the innocent from ambush, *shooting suddenly and recklessly.

They scheme their evil course; *they conspire to lay secret snares.They say: Who will see us? *Who can search out our crimes?

He will search who searches the mind *and knows the depths of the heart.God has shot them with his arrow *and dealt them sudden wounds.Their own tongue has brought them to ruin *and all who see them mock.

Then will all men fear;they will tell what God has done. *They will understand Gods deeds.The just will rejoice in the Lordand fly to him for refuge. *All the upright hearts will glory.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, *and to the Holy Spirit:as it was in the beginning, is now, *and will be for ever. Amen.

Psalm Prayer

Father, you gave your Son victory over the men who plotted evil against him; when he cried to you in his agony you delivered him from fear of his enemies. May those who suffer with him in this life find refuge and success in you.

Ant. They proclaimed what God has done for us; they grasped the meaning of his deeds, alleluia.

The Lord is king, let earth rejoice, *let all the coastlands be glad.Cloud and darkness are his raiment; *his throne, justice and right.

A fire prepares his path; *it burns up his foes on every side.His lightnings light up the world, *the earth trembles at the sight.

The mountains melt like wax *before the Lord of all the earth.The skies proclaim his justice; *all peoples see his glory.

Let those who serve idols be ashamed,those who boast of their worthless gods. *All you spirits, worship him.

Zion hears and is glad;the people of Judah rejoice *because of your judgments, O Lord.

For you indeed are the Lord,most high above all the earth, *exalted far above all spirits.

The Lord loves those who hate evil:he guards the souls of his saints; *he sets them free from the wicked.

Light shines forth for the just *and joy for the upright of heart.Rejoice, you just, in the Lord; *give glory to his holy name.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, *and to the Holy Spirit:as it was in the beginning, is now, *and will be for ever. Amen.

Psalm Prayer

Father, you clothe the sky with light and the depths of the ocean with darkness. Among the children of the earth you work wonders, and rain terror upon the enemy. Look upon your servants. Do not try us by fire but bring us rejoicing to the shelter of your home.

The Lord will give his message to the preachers of the Gospel, alleluia. He will give them strength to proclaim it fearlessly, alleluia.

READINGS

FIRST READING

From the letter of the apostle Paul to the Ephesians4:1-16

The various graces for the different ministries in the one body of Christ

I plead with you, as a prisoner for the Lord, to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love, striving to preserve the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace: one body and one Spirit, as you were also called to the one hope of your call; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

But grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christs gift. Therefore, it says:

He ascended on high and took prisoners captive; he gave gifts to men.

What does he ascended mean except that he also descended into the lower regions of the earth? The one who descended is also the one who ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.

And he gave some as apostles, others as prophets, others as evangelists, others as pastors and teachers, to equip the holy ones for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of faith and knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the extent of the full stature of Christ.

Let us, then, be children no longer, tossed by waves and swept along by every wind of teaching arising from human trickery, from their cunning in the interests of deceitful scheming. Rather, living the truth in love, we should grow in every way into him who is the head, Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, with the proper functioning of each part, brings about the bodys growth and builds itself up in love.

RESPONSORY2 Peter 1:21; Proverbs 2:6

No prophecy ever came from man. The men who spoke the word of God were inspired by the Holy Spirit, alleluia.

The Lord gives wisdom;knowledge and understanding flow from his mouth. The men who spoke the word of God were inspired by the Holy Spirit, alleluia.

The Church, which has spread everywhere, even to the ends of the earth, received the faith from the apostles and their disciples. By faith, we believe in one God, the almighty Father who made heaven and earth and the sea and all that is in them. We believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who became man for our salvation. And we believe in the Holy Spirit who through the prophets foretold God's plan: the coming of our beloved Lord Jesus Christ, his birth from the Virgin, his passion, his resurrection from the dead, his ascension into heaven, and his final coming from heaven in the glory of his Father, to recapitulate all things and to raise all men from the dead, so that, by the decree of his invisible Father, he may make a just judgement in all things and so that every knee should bow in heaven and on earth and under the earth to Jesus Christ our Lord and our God, our Savior and our King, and every tongue confess him.

The Church, spread throughout the whole world, received this preaching and this faith and now preserves it carefully, dwelling as it were in one house. Having one soul and one heart, the Church holds this faith, preaches and teaches it consistently as though by a single voice. For though there are different languages, there is but one tradition.

The faith and the tradition of the churches founded in Germany are no different from those founded among the Spanish and the Celts, in the East, in Egypt, in Libya and elsewhere in the Mediterranean world. Just as Gods creature, the sun, is one and the same the world over, so also does the Churchs preaching shine everywhere to enlighten all men who want to come to a knowledge of the truth.

Now of those who speak with authority in the churches, no preacher however forceful will utter anything differentfor no one is above the Masternor will a less forceful preacher diminish what has been handed down. Since our faith is everywhere the same, no one who can say more augments it, nor can anyone who says less diminish it.

RESPONSORY1 Corinthians 1:17-18, 21

Christ sent me to preach the Gospel,but not with the wisdom of this worldin which the cross of Christ loses all its meaning. For the message of the cross is foolishnessto those who are on the way to destruction;but to us who are on the way to salvationit is the proof of Gods power, alleluia.

The world did not come to know God through wisdom;it has pleased God to save those who have believedthrough the foolishness of the message we preach. For the message of the cross is foolishnessto those who are on the way to destruction;but to us who are on the way to salvationit is the proof of Gods power, alleluia..

If the Optional Vigil is not celebrated the Office continues with the Te Deum

OPTIONAL VIGIL

CANTICLES

Ant. Rejoice and be glad, says the Lord, for your names are written in heaven, alleluia.

Canticle I: Isaiah 61:6-9The covenant of the Lord with his ministers

God has made us suitable ministers of a new covenant (2 Corinthians 3:6).

You shall be named priests of the Lord, *ministers of our God you shall be called.You shall eat the wealth of the nations *and boast of riches from them.

Since their shame was double *and disgrace and spittle were their portion,They shall have a double inheritance in their land, *everlasting joy shall be theirs.

For I, the Lord, love what is right, *I hate robbery and injustice;I will give them their recompense faithfully, *a lasting covenant I will make with them.

Their descendants shall be renowned among the nations, *and their offspring among the peoples;All who see them shall acknowledge them *as a race the Lord has blessed.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, *and to the Holy Spirit:as it was in the beginning, is now, *and will be for ever. Amen.

Canticle II: Wisdom 3:7-9The future glory of the just

The just shall shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father (Matthew 13:43).

In the time of their visitation the just shall shine, *and shall dart about as sparks through stubble;they shall judge nations and rule over peoples, *and the Lord shall be their King forever.

Those who trust in him shall understand truth, *and the faithful shall abide with him in love:because grace and mercy are with his holy ones, *and his care is with the elect.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, *and to the Holy Spirit:as it was in the beginning, is now, *and will be for ever. Amen.

Canticle III: Wisdom 10:17-21God led his people in deliverance

Those who had overcome the beast sang the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb (Revelation 15:2, 3).

God gave the holy ones the recompense of their labors, *conducted them by a wondrous road,and became a shelter for them by day *and a starry flame by night.

He took them across the Red Sea *and brought them through the deep watersbut their enemies he overwhelmed, *and cast them up from the bottom of the depths.

Therefore the just despoiled the wicked; *and they sang, O Lord, your holy namebecause Wisdom opened the mouths of the dumb, *and gave ready speech to infants.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, *and to the Holy Spirit:as it was in the beginning, is now, *and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. Rejoice and be glad, says the Lord, for your names are written in heaven, alleluia.

THE HOLY GOSPEL

+A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark3:13-15

Jesus summoned those whom he wanted and they came to him.

Jesus went up the mountain and summoned those whom he wantedand they came to him.He appointed twelve, whom he also named apostles, that they might be with him and he might send them forth to preach and to have authority to drive out demons:He appointed the Twelve: Simon, whom he named Peter; James, son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James, whom he named Boanerges, that is, sons of thunder; Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus; Thaddeus, Simon the Cananean, and Judas Iscariot who betrayed him.

Or:

+A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew9:35-38

The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few.

Jesus went around to all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and curing every disease and illness.At the sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd.Then he said to his disciples, The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvestto send out laborers for his harvest.

Or:

+A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew23:8-12

The greatest among you must be your servant.

Jesus spoke to his disciples:Do not be called Rabbi.You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers.Call no one on earth your father; you have but one Father in heaven.Do not be called Master; you have but one master, the Messiah.The greatest among you must be your servant.Whoever exalts himself will be humbled;but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

A homily on the Gospel may be given

Other readings may be chosen from the Common of Pastors found in the Lectionaryfor Mass.

TE DEUM

You are God: we praise you;You are the Lord: we acclaim you;You are the eternal Father:All creation worships you.

To you all angels, all the powers of heaven,Cherubim and Seraphim, sing in endless praise: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory.

The glorious company of apostles praise you.The noble fellowship of prophets praise you.The white-robed army of martyrs praise you.

Throughout the world the holy Church acclaims you: Father, of majesty unbounded, your true and only Son, worthy of all worship, and the Holy Spirit, advocate and guide.

You, Christ, are the king of glory,the eternal Son of the Father.

When you became man to set us freeyou did not spurn the Virgins womb.

You overcame the sting of death,and opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers.

You are seated at Gods right hand in glory.We believe that you will come, and be our judge.

Come then, Lord, and help your people,bought with the price of your own blood,and bring us with your saintsto glory everlasting.

V. Save your people, Lord, and bless your inheritance.R. Govern and uphold them now and always.V. Day by day we bless you.R. We praise your name for ever.V. Keep us today, Lord, from all sin.R. Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy.V. Lord, show us your love and mercy;R. for we put our trust in you.V. In you, Lord, is our hope:R. and we shall never hope in vain.

The concluding part of the hymn may be omitted

CONCLUDING PRAYER

Let us pray.

Father,you gave Saint Markthe privilege of proclaiming your gospel.May we profit by his wisdomand follow Christ more faithfully.Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,our God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Or:

O God, who raised up Saint Mark, your Evangelist,and endowed him with the grace to preach the Gospel,grant, we pray,that we may so profit from his teachingas to follow faithfully in the footsteps of Christ.Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

ACCLAMATION

Let us praise the Lord. And give him thanks.

18
posted on 04/25/2012 2:49:58 AM PDT
by markomalley
(Nothing emboldens the wicked so greatly as the lack of courage on the part of the good-Pope Leo XIII)

Ant. Come, let us worship the Lord who speaks to us through the Gospel, alleluia.

Psalm 95A call to praise God

Encourage each other daily while it is still today (Hebrews 3:13).

Come, let us sing to the Lord * and shout with joy to the Rock who saves us.Let us approach him with praise and thanksgiving * and sing joyful songs to the Lord.

Ant. Come, let us worship the Lord who speaks to us through the Gospel, alleluia.

The Lord is God, the mighty God, * the great king over all the gods.He holds in his hands the depths of the earth * and the highest mountains as well.He made the sea; it belongs to him, * the dry land, too, for it was formed by his hands.

Ant. Come, let us worship the Lord who speaks to us through the Gospel, alleluia.

Come, then, let us bow down and worship, * bending the knee before the Lord, our maker.For he is our God and we are his people, * the flock he shepherds.

Ant. Come, let us worship the Lord who speaks to us through the Gospel, alleluia.

Today, listen to the voice of the Lord: Do not grow stubborn, as your fathers did in the wilderness, *when at Meriba and Massah they challenged me and provoked me, *Although they had seen all of my works.

Ant. Come, let us worship the Lord who speaks to us through the Gospel, alleluia.

Forty years I endured that generation. *I said, They are a people whose hearts go astray and they do not know my ways So I swore in my anger, * They shall not enter into my rest.

Ant. Come, let us worship the Lord who speaks to us through the Gospel, alleluia.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, *and to the Holy Spirit:as it was in the beginning, is now, *and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. Come, let us worship the Lord who speaks to us through the Gospel, alleluia.

If the Invitatory is not said, then the following is used:

God, + come to my assistance.Lord, make haste to help me.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Alleluia.

HYMN

The Apostles hearts were full of painFor their dear Lord so lately slain:That Lord his servants wicked trainWith bitter scorn had dared arraign.

With gentle voice the Angel gaveThe women tidings at the grave;Forthwith your Master shall ye see:He goes before to Galilee.

And while with fear and joy they pressedTo tell these tidings to the rest,Their Lord, their living Lord, they meet,And see his form, and kiss his feet.

The Eleven, when they hear, with speedTo Galilee forthwith proceed:That there they may behold once moreThe Lords dear face, as oft before.

Ant. 1 The holy evangelists searched the wisdom of past ages. Through their gospels they confirmed the words of the prophets, alleluia.

Psalm 63:2-9A soul thirsting for God

Whoever has left the darkness of sin yearns for God.

O God, you are my God, for you I long; *for you my soul is thirsting.My body pines for you *like a dry, weary land without water.So I gaze on you in the sanctuary *to see your strength and your glory.

For your love is better than life, *my lips will speak your praise.So I will bless you all my life, *in your name I will lift up my hands.My soul shall be filled as with a banquet, *my mouth shall praise you with joy.

On my bed I remember you. *On you I muse through the nightfor you have been my help; *in the shadow of your wings I rejoice.My soul clings to you; *your right hand holds me fast.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, *and to the Holy Spirit:as it was in the beginning, is now, *and will be for ever. Amen.

Psalm Prayer

Father, creator of unfailing light, give that same light to those who call to you. May our lips praise you; our lives proclaim your goodness; our work give you honor, and our voices celebrate you for ever.

Ant. The holy evangelists searched the wisdom of past ages. Through their gospels they confirmed the words of the prophets, alleluia.

Ant 2. Through the Gospel God called us to believe in the truth and to share the glory of our Lord, Jesus Christ, alleluia.

Canticle: Daniel 3:57-88, 56Let all creatures praise the Lord

All you servants of the Lord, sing praise to him (Revelation 19:5).

Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord. *Praise and exalt him above all forever.Angels of the Lord, bless the Lord. *You heavens, bless the Lord.All you waters above the heavens, bless the Lord. *All you hosts of the Lord, bless the Lord.Sun and moon, bless the Lord. *Stars of heaven, bless the Lord.

Every shower and dew, bless the Lord. *All you winds, bless the Lord.Fire and heat, bless the Lord. *Cold and chill, bless the Lord.Dew and rain, bless the Lord. *Frost and chill, bless the Lord.Ice and snow, bless the Lord. *Nights and days, bless the Lord.Light and darkness, bless the Lord. *Lightnings and clouds, bless the Lord.

Let the earth bless the Lord. *Praise and exalt him above all forever.Mountains and hills, bless the Lord. *Everything growing from the earth, bless the Lord.You springs, bless the Lord. *Seas and rivers, bless the Lord.You dolphins and all water creatures, bless the Lord. *All you birds of the air, bless the Lord.All you beasts, wild and tame, bless the Lord. *You sons of men, bless the Lord.

O Israel, bless the Lord. *Praise and exalt him above all forever.Priests of the Lord, bless the Lord. *Servants of the Lord, bless the Lord.Spirits and souls of the just, bless the Lord. *Holy men of humble heart, bless the Lord.Hananiah, Azariah, Mishael, bless the Lord. *Praise and exalt him above all forever.

Let us bless the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. *Let us praise and exalt him above all forever.Blessed are you, Lord, in the firmament of heaven. *Praiseworthy and glorious and exalted above all forever.

Ant. Through the Gospel God called us to believe in the truth and to share the glory of our Lord, Jesus Christ, alleluia.

Ant. 3 Many will praise their wisdom; it shall be remembered forever, alleluia.

Psalm 149The joy of Gods holy people

Let the sons of the Church, the children of the new people, rejoice in Christ, their King (Hesychius).

Sing a new song to the Lord, *his praise in the assembly of the faithful.Let Israel rejoice in its maker, *let Zions sons exult in their king.Let them praise his name with dancing *and make music with timbrel and harp.

For the Lord takes delight in his people. *He crowns the poor with salvation.Let the faithful rejoice in their glory, *shout for joy and take their rest.Let the praise of God be on their lips *and a two-edged sword in their hand,

to deal out vengeance to the nations *and punishment on all the peoples;to bind their kings in chains *and their nobles in fetters of iron;to carry out the sentence pre-ordained; *this honor is for all his faithful.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, *and to the Holy Spirit:as it was in the beginning, is now, *and will be for ever. Amen.

Psalm Prayer

Let Israel rejoice in you, Lord, and acknowledge you as creator and redeemer. We put our trust in your faithfulness and proclaim the wonderful truths of salvation. May your loving kindness embrace us now and for ever.

Ant. Many will praise their wisdom; it shall be remembered forever, alleluia.

READING

1 Corinthians 15:1-2a, 3-4

Brothers, I am reminding you of the gospel I preached to you, which you indeed received and in which you also stand. Through it you are also being saved. For I handed on to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures; that he was buried; that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures.

RESPONSORY

They proclaimed the Lords praises, told of his power to save, alleluia, alleluia. They proclaimed the Lords praises, told of his power to save, alleluia, alleluia.

And of the wonders he had worked, alleluia, alleluia.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. They proclaimed the Lords praises, told of his power to save, alleluia, alleluia.

CANTICLE OF ZECHARIAH

Ant. Through the grace of Jesus Christ, preachers and teachers were sent out as ministers of the faith for all who believe, alleluia.

Luke 1:68-79The Messiah and his forerunner

Blessed + be the Lord, the God of Israel; *he has come to his people and set them free.

He has raised up for us a mighty savior, *born of the house of his servant David.

Through his holy prophets he promised of old  that he would save us from our enemies, * from the hands of all who hate us.

He promised to show mercy to our fathers *and to remember his holy covenant.

This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham: *to set us free from the hands of our enemies,free to worship him without fear, *holy and righteous in his sight all the days of our life.

You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High; *for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way,to give his people knowledge of salvation *by the forgiveness of their sins.

In the tender compassion of our God *the dawn from on high shall break upon us,to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, *and to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, *and to the Holy Spirit:as it was in the beginning, is now, *and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. Through the grace of Jesus Christ, preachers and teachers were sent out as ministers of the faith for all who believe, alleluia.

INTERCESSIONS

Let us sing a song of praise to our Savior, who destroyed the power of death and made clear the path to life and immortality through the Gospel; and let us petition him in humble supplication:Strengthen your Church in faith and love.

You gave wonderful guidance to your Church through her holy and distinguished teachers, may Christians rejoice always in the splendid legacy given to your Church.Strengthen your Church in faith and love.

When their holy pastors prayed to you, as Moses had done, you forgave the sins of the people, through the intercession of these holy pastors continue to sanctify and purify your Church.Strengthen your Church in faith and love.

You anointed your holy ones in the midst of their brothers and called the Holy Spirit down upon them, fill all the leaders of your people with the Holy Spirit.Strengthen your Church in faith and love.

You yourself are the sole possession of your holy pastors, grant that those you have redeemed with your blood may remain in you. Strengthen your Church in faith and love.

THE LORDS PRAYER

(Gathering our prayer and praises into one, let us offer the prayer Christ himself taught us:)

Our Father, who art in heaven,hallowed be thy name;thy kingdom come;thy will be done on earthas it is in heaven.Give us this day our daily bread;and forgive us our trespassesas we forgive those who trespass against us;and lead us not into temptation,but deliver us from evil.

CONCLUDING PRAYER

Father,you gave Saint Markthe privilege of proclaiming your gospel.May we profit by his wisdomand follow Christ more faithfully.Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,our God, for ever and ever.Amen.

Or:

O God, who raised up Saint Mark, your Evangelist,and endowed him with the grace to preach the Gospel,grant, we pray,that we may so profit from his teachingas to follow faithfully in the footsteps of Christ.Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

DISMISSAL

May the Lord + bless us, protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.

19
posted on 04/25/2012 2:50:04 AM PDT
by markomalley
(Nothing emboldens the wicked so greatly as the lack of courage on the part of the good-Pope Leo XIII)

When I reach the appointed time, *then I will judge with justice.Though the earth and all who dwell in it may rock, *it is I who uphold its pillars.

To the boastful I say: Do not boast, *to the wicked: Do not flaunt your strength,do not flaunt your strength on high. *Do not speak with insolent pride. 

For neither from the east nor from the west, *nor from desert or mountains comes judgment,but God himself is the judge. *One he humbles, another he exalts.

The Lord holds a cup in his hand, *full of wine, foaming and spiced.He pours it; they drink it to the dregs: *all the wicked on the earth must drain it.

As for me, I will rejoice for ever *and sing psalms to Jacobs God.He shall break the power of the wicked, *while the strength of the just shall be exalted.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, *and to the Holy Spirit:as it was in the beginning, is now, *and will be for ever. Amen.

Psalm Prayer

Father, by the passion of your Son you proclaimed the final judgment of the world; when you raised Christ upon the cross you deposed the prince of darkness. Strike down the pride that rules our hearts and raise us to the glory of the resurrection.

Ant. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

At the other hours, the complementary psalmody is used.

MIDMORNING

READINGRomans 1:16-17

I am not ashamed of the gospel. It is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: for Jew first, and then Greek. For in it is revealed the righteousness of God from faith to faith; as it is written, The one who is righteous by faith will live.

RESPONSORY

Their voice has gone out to the limits of the earth. Their words to the ends of the world.

CONCLUDING PRAYER

Let us pray.

Father,you gave Saint Markthe privilege of proclaiming your gospel.May we profit by his wisdomand follow Christ more faithfully.Grant this Christ our Lord. Amen.

Or:

O God, who raised up Saint Mark, your Evangelist,and endowed him with the grace to preach the Gospel,grant, we pray,that we may so profit from his teachingas to follow faithfully in the footsteps of Christ.Who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.

ACCLAMATION

Let us praise the Lord. And give him thanks.

MIDDAY

READING1 Thessalonians 2:2b-3, 4

We drew courage through our God to speak to you the gospel of God with much struggle.Our exhortation was not from delusion or impure motives, nor did it work through deception.But as we were judged worthy by God to be entrusted with the gospel, that is how we speak, not as trying to please human beings, but rather God, who judges our hearts.

RESPONSORY

The Apostles held fast to Christ's message. They kept the precepts he gave them.

CONCLUDING PRAYER

Let us pray.

Father,you gave Saint Markthe privilege of proclaiming your gospel.May we profit by his wisdomand follow Christ more faithfully.Grant this Christ our Lord. Amen.

Or:

O God, who raised up Saint Mark, your Evangelist,and endowed him with the grace to preach the Gospel,grant, we pray,that we may so profit from his teachingas to follow faithfully in the footsteps of Christ.Who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.

ACCLAMATION

Let us praise the Lord. And give him thanks.

MIDAFTERNOON

READING2 Timothy 1:8b-9

Bear your share of hardship for the gospel with the strength that comes from God. He saved us and called us to a holy life, not according to our works but according to his own design and the grace bestowed on us in Christ Jesus before time began.

RESPONSORY

Rejoice and be glad says the Lord, for your names are written in heaven.

CONCLUDING PRAYER

Let us pray.

Father,you gave Saint Markthe privilege of proclaiming your gospel.May we profit by his wisdomand follow Christ more faithfully.Grant this Christ our Lord. Amen.

Or:

O God, who raised up Saint Mark, your Evangelist,and endowed him with the grace to preach the Gospel,grant, we pray,that we may so profit from his teachingas to follow faithfully in the footsteps of Christ.Who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.

ACCLAMATION

Let us praise the Lord. And give hm thanks.

20
posted on 04/25/2012 2:50:12 AM PDT
by markomalley
(Nothing emboldens the wicked so greatly as the lack of courage on the part of the good-Pope Leo XIII)

My vows to the Lord I will fulfill *before all his people,in the courts of the house of the Lord, *in your midst, O Jerusalem.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, *and to the Holy Spirit:as it was in the beginning, is now, *and will be for ever. Amen

Psalm Prayer

Father, precious in your sight is the death of the saints, but precious above all is the love with which Christ suffered to redeem us. In this life we fill up in our own flesh what is still lacking in the sufferings of Christ; accept this as our sacrifice of praise, and we shall even now taste the joy of the new Jerusalem.

Ant. My life is at the service of the Gospel; God has given me this gift of his grace, alleluia.

Ant. 2 I do all this for the sake of the Gospel, in order to share in its rewards, alleluia.

Psalm 126Joyful hope in God

Just as you share in sufferings, so you will share in the divine glory (2 Corinthians 1:7).

When the Lord delivered Zion from bondage, *it seemed like a dream.Then was our mouth filled with laughter, *on our lips there were songs.

The heathens themselves said: What marvels *the Lord worked for them!What marvels the Lord worked for us! *Indeed we were glad.

Deliver us, O Lord, from our bondage *as streams in dry land.Those who are sowing in tears *will sing when they reap.

They go out, they go out, full of tears, *carrying seed for the sowing:they come back, they come back, full of song, *carrying their sheaves.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, *and to the Holy Spirit:as it was in the beginning, is now, *and will be for ever. Amen.

Psalm Prayer

Lord, you have raised us from the earth; may you let the seeds of justice, which we have sown in tears, grow and increase in your sight. May we reap in joy the harvest we hope for patiently.

Ant. I do all this for the sake of the Gospel, in order to share in its rewards, alleluia.

Ant. 3 This grace has been given to me: to proclaim to the nations the infinite riches of Christ, alleluia.

Canticle: Ephesians 1:3-10God our Savior

Praised be the God and Father *of our Lord Jesus Christ,who has bestowed on us in Christ *every spiritual blessing in the heavens.

God chose us in him *before the world beganto be holy *and blameless in his sight.

He predestined us *to be his adopted sons through Jesus Christ,such was his will and pleasure,that all might praise the glorious favor *he has bestowed on us in his beloved.

In him and through his blood, we have been redeemed, *and our sins forgiven,so immeasurably generous *is Gods favor to us.

God has given us the wisdom *to understand fully the mystery,the plan he was pleased *to decree in Christ.

A plan to be carried out *in Christ, in the fullness of time,to bring all things into one in him, *in the heavens and on earth.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, *and to the Holy Spirit:as it was in the beginning, is now, *and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. This grace has been given to me: to proclaim to the nations the infinite riches of Christ, alleluia.

READING

Colossians 1:3a-6

We always give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, for we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and the love that you have for all the holy ones because of the hope reserved for you in heaven. Of this you have already heard through the word of truth, the gospel, that has come to you. Just as in the whole world it is bearing fruit and growing, so also among you, from the day you heard it and came to know the grace of God in truth.

RESPONSORY

Tell all the nations how glorious God is, alleluia, alleluia. Tell all the nations how glorious God is, alleluia, alleluia.

Make known his wonders to every people, alleluia, alleluia.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. Tell all the nations how glorious God is, alleluia, alleluia.

CANTICLE OF MARY

Ant. The word of the Lord shall endure for ever: this is the message which has been proclaimed, alleluia.

Luke 1:46-55The soul rejoices in the Lord

My + soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior *for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.

From this day all generations will call me blessed: the Almighty has done great things for me, *and holy is his Name.

He has mercy on those who fear him *in every generation.

He has shown the strength of his arm, *he has scattered the proud in their conceit.

He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, *and has lifted up the lowly.

He has filled the hungry with good things, *and the rich he has sent away empty.

He has come to the help of his servant Israel *for he has remembered his promise of mercy,the promise he made to our fathers, *to Abraham and his children for ever.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, *and to the Holy Spirit:as it was in the beginning, is now, *and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. The word of the Lord shall endure for ever: this is the message which has been proclaimed, alleluia.

INTERCESSIONS

Our God is the Father of light. Through the good news of his Son he has called us to believe in the truth. Let us pray now for his holy people as we say:Lord, remember your Church.

Father, you raised your Son, our Good Shepherd, from the dead, make us his witnesses to the ends of the earth.Lord, remember your Church.

You sent your Son into the world to bring good news to the poor, give us courage to bring that good news to all peoples.Lord, remember your Church.

You sent your Son to sow the word of life, help us to sow his word and to reap its harvest with joy.Lord, remember your Church.

You sent your Son to make the world on through his blood, may all of us work together for this unity.Lord, remember your Church.

You set your Son at your right hand in the heavens, open the gates of your kingdom to those who have died. Lord, remember your Church.

THE LORDS PRAYER

(Gathering our prayer and praises into one, let us offer the prayer Christ himself taught us:)

Our Father, who art in heaven,hallowed be thy name;thy kingdom come;thy will be done on earthas it is in heaven.Give us this day our daily bread;and forgive us our trespassesas we forgive those who trespass against us;and lead us not into temptation,but deliver us from evil.

CONCLUDING PRAYER

Father,you gave Saint Markthe privilege of proclaiming your gospel.May we profit by his wisdomand follow Christ more faithfully.Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,our God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Or:

O God, who raised up Saint Mark, your Evangelist,and endowed him with the grace to preach the Gospel,grant, we pray,that we may so profit from his teachingas to follow faithfully in the footsteps of Christ.Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

DISMISSAL

May the Lord + bless us, protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.

21
posted on 04/25/2012 2:50:19 AM PDT
by markomalley
(Nothing emboldens the wicked so greatly as the lack of courage on the part of the good-Pope Leo XIII)

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Alleluia.

Examination of conscience

A brief examination of conscience may be made. In the communal celebration of the office, a penitential rite using the formulas of the Mass may be inserted here.

[I confess to almighty Godand to you, my brothers and sisters,that I have greatly sinned,in my thoughts and in my words,in what I have done and in what I have failed to do,

And, striking their breast, they say:

through my fault, through my fault,through my most grievous fault;Then they continue:therefore I ask blessed Mary ever-Virgin,all the Angels and Saints,and you, my brothers and sisters,to pray for me to the Lord our God.

The presider says the absolution. If a priest or deacon is present, he should preside.

May almighty God have mercy on us,forgive us our sins,and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.]

HYMN

At the Lambs high feast we singPraise to our victorious King,Who has washed us in the tideFlowing from his wounded side;Praise the Lord, whose love divineGives his sacred blood for wine,Gives his body for the feast,Christ the victim, Christ the priest.

Where the Paschal blood is poured,Deaths dark angel sheathes his sword;Israels host in triumph goThrough the waves that drown the foe.Christ the Lamb whose blood was shed,Paschal victim, Paschal bread;Let us with a fervent loveTaste the manna from above.

Mighty Victim from on high,Powrs of hell now vanquished lie;Sin is conquered in the fight:You have brought us life and light;Your resplendent banners wave,You have risen from the grave;Christ has opened Paradise,And in him all men shall rise.

Easter triumph, Easter joy,Sin alone can this destroy;Souls form sin and death set freeGlory in their liberty.Hymns of glory, hymns of praiseFather unto you we raise;Risen Lord, for joy we sing;Let our hymns through heaven ring.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit, alleluia, alleluia.

GOSPEL CANTICLE

Ant. Protect us, Lord, as we stay awake; watch over us as we sleep, that awake, we may keep watch with Christ, and asleep, rest in his peace, alleluia.

Luke 2:29-32Christ is the light of the nations and the glory of Israel

Lord, + now you let your servant go in peace; *your word has been fulfilled:

my own eyes have seen the salvation *which you have prepared in the sight of every people:

a light to reveal you to the nations *and the glory of your people Israel.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, *and to the Holy Spirit:as it was in the beginning, is now, *and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. Protect us, Lord, as we stay awake; watch over us as we sleep, that awake, we may keep watch with Christ, and asleep, rest in his peace, alleluia.

CONCLUDING PRAYER

Let us pray.

Lord Jesus Christ,you have given your followersan example of gentleness and humility,a task that is easy, a burden that is light.Accept the prayers and work of this day,and give us the rest that will strengthen usto render more faithful service to youwho live and reign for ever and ever. Amen.

BLESSING

May the all-powerful Lordgrant us a restful nightand a peaceful death. Amen.

Antiphon or song in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Queen of heaven, rejoice, alleluia.The Son whom you merited to bear, alleluia,has risen as he said, alleluia.Pray for us to God, alleluia.

Hail, holy Queen, mother of mercy,our life, our sweetness, and our hope.To you do we cry,poor banished children of Eve.To you do we send up our sighsmourning and weeping in this vale of tears.Turn then, most gracious advocate,your eyes of mercy toward us,and after this exileshow us the blessed fruit of your womb, Jesus.O clement, O loving,O sweet Virgin Mary.

Or:

Hail Mary, full of grace,the Lord is with you!Blessed are you among women,and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus.Holy Mary, Mother of God,pray for us sinners,now and at the hour of our death.

Loving mother of the Redeemer,gate of heaven, star of the sea,assist your people who have fallen yet strive to rise again.To the wonderment of nature you bore your Creator,yet remained a virgin after as before.You who received Gabriels joyful greeting,have pity on us poor sinners.

22
posted on 04/25/2012 2:50:28 AM PDT
by markomalley
(Nothing emboldens the wicked so greatly as the lack of courage on the part of the good-Pope Leo XIII)

Saint Mark was the son of a woman called Mary in whose house Peter sought refuge after being freed from jail. He aided Saint Paul and his own cousin Saint Barnabas in the evangelization of Cyprus. Later, Mark became the companion and secretary of Saint Peter in Rome. He wrote the second Gospel, which emphasizes the miraculous powers of the Savior.

Collect:O God, who raised up Saint Mark, your Evangelist,and endowed him with the grace to preach the Gospel,grant, we pray,that we may so profit from his teachingas to follow faithfully in the footsteps of Christ.Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,one God, for ever and ever. +Amen.

First Reading - 1 Peter 5:5-14Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble." Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that in due time He may exalt you. Cast all your anxieties on Him, for He cares about you. Be sober, be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seekingsomeone to devour. Resist him, firm in you faith, knowing that the same experience of suffering is required of your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore, establish, and strengthen you. To Him be the dominion for ever and ever. Amen. By Silvanus, a faithful brother as I regard him, I have written briefly to you, exhorting and declaring that this is the true grace of God; stand fast in it. She who is at Babylon, who is likewise chosen, sends you greetings; and so does my son Mark. Greet one another with the kiss of love.

Gospel Reading - Mark 16:15-20:And He[Jesus] said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: in My name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover. So then the Lord Jesus, after He had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. And they went forth and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by the signs that attended it. Amen.

[Scripture translations are from the Revised Standard Version - Catholic Edition]

Part of the "Introduction to the Gospel According to Mark"

AUTHOR - The earliest manuscripts of the second Gospel are titled "According to Mark" (Gk. Kata Markon). This heading is not part of the original work but was added by the early Christians. It summarizes the Church's uniform tradition that Mark, a disciple of Simon Peter, wrote the second Gospel. Although Mark did not write as an eyewitness of Christ's public ministry, he was channel of apostolic tradition through Peter, who was his primary source of information about the life of Jesus. His association with Peter is evident in both the NT (New Testament) and the testimony of the early Church. (1) Within the NT, Peter refers to his companionship with "my son Mark" in 1 Pet 5:13, and interpreters have noted that the general outline of Mark's Gospel is similar to Peter's presentation of the gospel in Acts 10:36-43. (2) Outside the NT, several Church Fathers insist that Peter's authority stands behind the second Gospel. Papias (A.D. 130) describes Mark as the "interpreter" of Peter, while Irenaeus (A.D. 180), Clement of Alexandria (A.D. 200), and Tertullian (A.D. 200) echo this tradition.

Few details exist about the life and character of Mark. He is known principally by his Roman name "Mark" (Lat. Marcus) but is sometimes called by his Jewish name "John" (Acts 12:25; 15:37). He is the cousin of the missionary Barnabas according to Col 4:10. More significantly, he was an associate of the Apostle Paul (Acts 12:25) and a welcome companion on Paul's first missionary journey (Acts 13:5). For reasons unstated, Mark withdrew prematurely from the mission (Acts 13:13), creating an awkward situation that later became a source of contention between him and Paul (Acts 15:36-41). At some point, however, Mark was reconciled with him and again became active in his ministry, since he is later present with Paul in Rome (Col 4:10; Philem 24), and according to the apostle's estimation, "he [Mark] is very useful in serving me" (2 Tim 4:11). Tradition states that after the martyrdom of Peter and Paul, Mark was the first to establish churches in Alexandria in northern Egypt.

This excerpt from The Gospel of Mark, Ignatius Catholic Study Bible, published by Ignatius Press, San Francisco, 2001. Ignatius Press 800-322-1531 or www.ignatius.com -- see our link page.

St. Mark the Evangelist

Feast Day: April 25 Died: 68 AD

Mark lived at the time of Jesus. Although he was not one of the twelve apostles of Jesus, he was a cousin of St. Barnabas, an apostle. Mark is called an evangelist because he wrote one of the four Gospels. Mark's Gospel is short, but it gives many little details that are not in the other Gospels.

While still young, Mark went with the two great saints, Paul and Barnabas, as missionaries to bring the teachings of Jesus to Cyprus and other new lands. Before the journey was over, though, Mark had an argument with St. Paul and immediately returned to Jerusalem. Paul and Mark later made peace with each other. In fact, Paul wrote from prison in Rome that Mark came to cheer and help him.

Mark also became a beloved disciple and was like a son to St. Peter, the first pope. St. Mark was made a bishop and sent to Alexandria, Egypt. There many people who heard him preach became Christians. He worked hard to spread love for Jesus and his Church and founded the first famous Christian school in Alexandria.

He went through long and painful sufferings before he died a martyr for his faith. St. Mark's relics were brought to Venice, Italy. He is the patron saint of that famous city. People go to the beautiful basilica of St. Mark to honor him and to pray to him.

Reflection:"Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation." (Mark 16:15)

Collect: O God, who raised up Saint Mark, your Evangelist, and endowed him with the grace to preach the Gospel, grant, we pray, that we may so profit from his teaching as to follow faithfully in the footsteps of Christ. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

LIBRARY

Feast of St. Mark, evangelist Old Calendar: St. Mark; The Greater Litanies

St. Mark, the author of the second Gospel, was the son of Mary whose house at Jerusalem was the meeting place of Christians. He was baptized and instructed by St. Peter. In about the year 42 A.D. he came to Rome with the Prince of the Apostles. There at the request of the faithful he wrote his Gospel about the year 50 A.D. His Gospel is a record of St. Peter's preaching about Our Lord and pays special attention to the head of the Apostles. The Gospel was written for Roman Gentile converts. It rarely quotes the Old Testament, and is careful to explain Jewish customs, rites and words. It excels in portraying the emotions and affections of both Christ and His hearers. St. Mark preached in Egypt, especially in Alexandria and was martyred there by the heathen.

St. MarkJohn Mark, later known simply as Mark, was a Jew by birth. He was the son of that Mary who was proprietress of the Cenacle or "upper room" which served as the meeting place for the first Christians in Jerusalem (Acts 12:12). He was still a youth at the time of the Savior's death. In his description of the young man who was present when Jesus was seized and who fled from the rabble leaving behind his "linen cloth," the second Evangelist might possibly have stamped the mark of his own identity.

During the years that followed, the rapidly maturing youth witnessed the growth of the infant Church in his mother's Upper Room and became acquainted with its traditions. This knowledge he put to excellent use when compiling his Gospel. Later, we find Mark acting as a companion to his cousin Barnabas and Saul on their return journey to Antioch and on their first missionary journey. But Mark was too immature for the hardships of this type of work and therefore left them at Perge in Pamphylia to return home.

As the two apostles were preparing for their second missionary journey, Barnabas wanted to take his cousin with him. Paul, however, objected. Thereupon the two cousins undertook a missionary journey to Cyprus. Time healed the strained relations between Paul and Mark, and during the former's first Roman captivity (61-63), Mark rendered Paul valuable service (Col. 4:10; Philem. 24), and the Apostle learned to appreciate him. When in chains the second time Paul requested Mark's presence (2 Tim. 4:11).

An intimate friendship existed between Mark and Peter; he played the role of Peter's companion, disciple, and interpreter. According to the common patristic opinion, Mark was present at Peter's preaching in Rome and wrote his Gospel under the influence of the prince of the apostles. This explains why incidents which involve Peter are described with telling detail (e.g., the great day at Capharnaum, 1:14f)). Little is known of Mark's later life. It is certain that he died a martyr's death as bishop of Alexandria in Egypt. His relics were transferred from Alexandria to Venice, where a worthy tomb was erected in St. Mark's Cathedral.

The Gospel of St. Mark, the shortest of the four, is, above all, a Roman Gospel. It originated in Rome and is addressed to Roman, or shall we say, to Western Christianity. Another high merit is its chronological presentation of the life of Christ. For we should be deeply interested in the historical sequence of the events in our blessed Savior's life.

Furthermore, Mark was a skilled painter of word pictures. With one stroke he frequently enhances a familiar scene, shedding upon it new light. His Gospel is the "Gospel of Peter," for he wrote it under the direction and with the aid of the prince of the apostles. "The Evangelist Mark is represented as a lion because he begins his Gospel in the wilderness, `The voice of one crying in the desert: Make ready the way of the Lord,' or because he presents the Lord as the unconquered King."

Symbols: Winged lion; fig tree; pen; book and scroll; club; barren fig tree; scroll with words Pax Tibi; winged and nimbed lion; lion.Often Pictured as: Man writing or holding his gospel; man with a halter around his neck; lion in the desert; man with a book or scroll accompanied by a winged lion; holding a palm and book; holding a book with pax tibi Marce written on it; bishop on a throne decorated with lions; helping Venetian sailors; rescuing Christian slaves from Saracens.

Meditation: 1 Peter 5:5-14

St. Mark

Your brothers and sisters throughout the world undergo the same sufferings. (1 Peter 5:9)

Lets face it. Suffering is a part of life in this world. No one can escape it, not even the greatest saints. So lets take the opportunity on this feast of St. Mark, to see how one of the churchs shining lights handled lifes slings and arrows.

Tradition tells us that St. Mark is the same John Mark who accompa­nied Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey. For some reason, however, Mark left halfway through the mission and returned home (Acts 15:37-38). We dont know why, but if he hung around Paul, he must have experienced some of what Paul didsleepless nights, hunger, beat­ings, and the like. Perhaps it was just too much for him, and he wanted to return to a normal life. Perhaps, since he was young, he just got homesick.

But whatever moved him to leave, Mark couldnt stay away for long. Not long after he left, Barnabas invited him on a mission trip to Cyprus, and Mark accepted the chal­lenge (Acts 15:39).

What made Mark continue? Most likely it was Barnabas, his friend and brother in the Lord. Here was some­one who believed enough in Mark to give him a second chance.

Few of us endure the kind of tri­als that Mark did. But we all face our own challenges. And those chal­lenges can make us want to run away and isolate ourselves. Sometimes, running away feels easier than stay­ing the course and surrendering ourselves into Gods loving hands. Sometimes, wed rather isolate our­selves than rely on a brother or sister for encouragement. But we simply cant be all that we are called to be without people to encourage us and to remind us of Gods goodness.

Has God placed a Barnabas in your life? Someone to help you through those situations that cause you to fear or close in on yourself? Or has he placed a Mark in your life? Someone who needs your guid­ance? Give thanks for those people, and make sure you stay close to them. For so it is with us as with the flames in a firewe burn much brighter together!

Thank you, Lord, for the brothers and sisters you have given to me. May we build each other up in faith, in hope, and in your love and compassion!

(A biblical refection on the FEAST OF ST. MARK, Wednesday, April 25, 2012)

Gospel Reading: Mark 16:15-20

First Reading: 1Pet 5:5-14; Psalms: Ps 89:2-3,6-7,16-17

The Scripture Text

And He said to them, Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to the whole creation. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe; in My name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.

So then the Lord Jesus, after He had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. And they went forth and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by the signs that attended it. Amen. (Mk 16:15-20 RSV)

Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to the whole creation (Mk 16:15).

This message Christ proclaimed to the apostles is the underlying theme of the Gospel of Mark. It is also a timeless exhortation to members of the body of Christ to bring the Good News of the Kingdom of God to a suffering world.

Assuming that all New Testament references to Mark refer to the same person, Mark grew up in Jerusalem and was a cousin of Barnabas. His mother, Mary opened her house to the apostles when Jerusalem was beset by Roman troops and Christians were being persecuted. He left Jerusalem following the persecution by Herod Agrippa and travelled with the apostle Paul on his first missionary journey and eventually accompanied him to Rome. Mark was also a disciple of Peter and served as his interpreter in Rome. Later traditions identify Mark as the author of the second Gospel.

Mark received the Gospel message from the apostles as they responded to Christ command to spread the Good News throughout the world. Mark compiled testimonies and traditions about Jesus  His life, His sayings and His deeds  focusing on Christs passion and death as the saving event and heart of the Gospel.

Marks Gospel is sometimes called the Gospel of the Catechumens since he directed his writings to the Christians in Rome who being persecuted by Emperor Nero in the late 60s A.D. The people were clinging to their faith in the midst of threats and attacks on their possessions and their lives. The apostles remained obedient to Christs call to bring the message of salvation to a suffering world. They continued to preach the Gospel publicly in spite of suffering and ill treatment.

Today, on the feast of Saint Mark, let us examine our obedience to Christs command to share the Good News in our homes and places of employment. While the apostles had a unique calling, the basis of our ability to proclaim the Gospel message is the same as the apostles  our knowledge of the steadfast love of Christ. As we take up the challenge to bring the Good News to others, we draw courage from Gods steadfast love and faithfulness to His people (Ps 89:2-3).

Let us recall these words of hope: After you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore, establish, and strengthen you (1Pet 5:10).

Short Prayer: Heavenly Father, You chose out the evangelist Saint Mark and ennobled him with grace to preach the Gospel. Let his teaching so improve our lives that we may walk faithfully in the footsteps of Christ. Amen.

15. And he said to them, Go you into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature. 16. He that believes and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believed not shall be damned. 17. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18. They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

AUG. But how was this done the last time? The last occasion on which the Apostles saw the Lord upon earth happened forty days after the resurrection; but would He then have upbraided them for not believing those who had seen Him risen, when they themselves had so often seen Him after His resurrection? It remains therefore that we should understand that Mark wished to say it in few words, and said for the last time, because it was the last time that He showed Himself that day, as night was coming on, when the disciples returned from the country into Jerusalem, and found, as Luke says, the eleven and those who were with them, speaking together concerning the resurrection of our Lord.

But there were some there who did not believe; when these then were sitting at meat, (as Mark says,) and were still speaking, (as Luke relates,) The Lord stood in the midst of them, and said to them, Peace be to you; as Luke and John say. The rebuke therefore which Mark here mentions, must have been amongst those words, which Luke and John say, that the Lord at that time spoke to the disciples. But another question is raised, how Mark says that He appeared when the eleven sat at meat, if the time was the first part of the night on the Lord's day, when John plainly says that Thomas was not with them, who, we believe, had gone out, before the Lord came in to them, after those two had returned from the village, and spoken with the eleven, as we find in Luke's Gospel.

But Luke in his relation leaves room for supposing that Thomas went out first, while they spoke these things, and that the Lord entered afterwards; Mark however from his saying, for the last time he appeared to the eleven as they sat at meat, forces us to believe that he was there, unless indeed, though one of them was absent he chose to call them the eleven, because the company of the Apostles was then called by this number, before Matthias was chosen into the place of Judas. Or if this be a harsh way of understanding it, let us understand that it means that after many appearances, He showed Himself for the last time, that is, on the fortieth clay, to the Apostles, as they sat at meat, and that since He was about to ascend from them, He rather wished on that day to reprove them for not having believed those who had seen Him risen before seeing Him themselves, because after His ascension even the Gentiles on their preaching were to believe a Gospel, which they had not seen.

And so the same Mark immediately after that rebuke says, And he said to them, Go you into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature. And lower down, He that believes not shall be condemned. Since then they were to preach this, were not they themselves to be first rebuked, because before they saw the Lord they had not believed those to who He had first appeared?

GREG. Another reason also why our Lord rebuked His disciples, when He left them as to His bodily presence, was, that the words which He spoke on leaving them might remain more deeply impressed, upon the hearts of His hearers.

PSEUDO-JEROME; But He rebukes their want of faith, that faith might take its place; He rebukes the hardness of their stony heart, that the fleshy heart, full of love, might take its place.

GREG. After rebuking the hardness of their hearts, let us hear the words of advice which He speaks. For it goes on: Go you into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature. Every man must be understood by every creature; for man partakes something of every creature; he has existence as have stones, life as trees, feeling as animals, understanding as have Angels. For the Gospel is preached to every creature, because he is taught by it, for whose sake all are created, whom all things are in some way like, and from whom therefore they are not alien. By the name of every creature also every nation of the Gentiles may be meant. For it had been said before, Go not into the way of the Gentiles. But now it is said, Preach the Gospel to every creature, so that the preaching of the Apostles which was thrust aside by Judea, might be an assistance to us, since Judea, had haughtily rejected it, thus witnessing to her own damnation.

THEOPHYL. Or else; to every creature, that is, whether believing or unbelieving. It goes on: He that believes and is baptized shall be saved. For it is not enough to believe, for he who believes and is not baptized, but is a catechumen, has not yet attained to perfect salvation.

GREG. But perhaps some one may say in himself, I have already believed, I shall be saved. He says what is true, if he keeps his faith by works; for that is a true faith, which does not contradict by its deeds what it says in words. There follows: But he that believes not shall be damned.

BEDE; What shall we say here about infants, who by reason of their age cannot yet believe; for as to older persons there is no question. In the Church then of our Savior children believe by others, as also they drew from others the sins which are remitted to them in baptism. It goes on: And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents.

THEOPHYL. That is, they shall scatter before them serpents, whether intellectual or sensible, as it is said, you shall tread upon serpents and scorpions, which is understood spiritually. But it may also mean sensible serpents, as when Paul received no hurt from the viper. There follows: And if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them. We read of many such cases in history, for many persons have drank poison unhurt, by guarding themselves with the sign of Christ. It goes on: They shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

GREG. Are we then without faith because we cannot do these signs? Nay, but these things were necessary in the beginning of the Church, for the faith of believers was to be nourished by miracles, that it might increase. Thus we also, when we plant groves, pour water upon them, until we see that they have grown strong in the earth; but when once they have firmly fixed their roots, we leave off irrigating them. These signs and miracles have other things which we ought to consider more minutely.

For Holy Church does every day in spirit what then the Apostles did in body; for when her Priests by the grace of exorcism lay their hands on believers, and forbid the evil spirits to dwell in their minds, what do they, but cast out devils? And the faithful who have left earthly words, and whose tongues sound forth the Holy Mysteries, speak a new language; they who by their good warnings take away evil from the hearts of others, take up serpents; and when they are hearing words of pestilent persuasion, without being at all drawn aside to evil doing, they drink a deadly thing, but it will never hurt them; whenever they see their neighbors growing weak in good works, and by their good example strengthen their life, they lay their hands on the sick, that they may recover. And all these miracles are greater in proportion as they are spiritual, and by them souls and not bodies are raised.

19. So then after the Lord had spoken to them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. 20. And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.

PSEUDO-JEROME; The Lord Jesus, who had descended from heaven to give liberty to our weak nature, Himself also ascended above the heavens; wherefore it is said, So then after the Lord had spoken to them, he was received up into heaven.

AUG. By which words He seems to show clearly enough that the foregoing discourse was the last that He spoke to them upon earth, though it does not appear to bind us down altogether to this opinion. For He does not say, After He had thus spoken to them, wherefore it admits of being understood not as if that was the last discourse, but that the words which are here used, After the Lord had spoken to them, he was received into heaven, might belong to all His other discourses. But since the arguments which we have used above make us rather suppose that this was the last time, therefore we ought to believe that after these words, together with those which are recorded in the Acts of the Apostles, our Lord ascended into heaven.

GREG. We have seen in the Old Testament that Elias was taken up into heaven. But the ethereal heaven is one thing, the aerial is another. The aerial heaven is nearer the earth, Elias then was raised into the aerial heaven, that he might be carried off suddenly into some secret region of the earth, there to live in great calmness of body and spirit, until he return at the end of the world, and pay the debt of death. We may also observe that Elias mounted up in a chariot, that by this they might understand that a mere man requires help from without. But our Redeemer, as we read, was not carried up by a chariot, not by angels, because He who had made all things was borne over all by His own power. We must also consider what Mark subjoins, And sat at the right hand of God, since Stephen says, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God. Now sitting is the attitude of a judge, standing of one fighting or helping. Therefore Stephen, when toiling in the contest, saw Him standing whom he had for his helper; but Mark describes Him as sitting after His assumption into heaven, because after the glory of His assumption, He will in the end be seen as a judge.

AUG. Let us not therefore understand this sitting as though He were placed there in human limbs, as if the Father sat on the left, the Son on the right, but by the right hand itself we understand the power which He as man received from God, that He should come to judge, who first had come to be judged. For by sitting we express habitation, as we say of a person, he sat himself down in that country for many years; in this way then believe that Christ dwells at the right hand of God the Father. For or He is blessed and dwells in blessedness, which is called the right hand of the Father; for all is right hand there, since there is no misery.

It goes on: And they went forth and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs and wonders.

BEDE; Observe that in proportion as Mark began his history later, so he makes it reach in writing to more distant times, for he began from the commencement of the preaching of the Gospel by John, and he reaches in his narrative those times in which the Apostles sowed the same word of the Gospel throughout the world.

GREG. But what should we consider in these words, if it be not that obedience follows the precept and signs follow the obedience? For the Lord had commanded them, Go into all the world preaching the Gospel, and, you shall be witnesses even to the ends of the earth.

AUG. But how was this preaching fulfilled by the Apostles, since there are many nations in which it has just begun, and others in which it has not yet begun to be fulfilled? Truly then this precept was not so laid upon the Apostles by our Lord, as though they alone to whom He then spoke were to fulfill so great a charge; in the same way as He says, Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the world, apparently to them alone; but who does not understand that the promise is made to the Catholic Church, which though some are dying, others are born, shall be here to the end of the world?

THEOPHYL. But we must also know from this that words are confirmed by deeds as then in the Apostles works confirmed their words, for signs followed. Grant then, O Christ, that the good words which we speak may working confirmed by works and deeds, so that at the last, You working with us in word and in deed, we may be perfect, for Yours as is fitting is the glory both of word and deed. Amen.

Cod. Cor. 3 is one of the most lavishly illuminated books of the fifteenth century. It comprises seventeenth historiated initials, in addition to the three that have been removed. Folio 59 contains the Ascension in an initial V, which begins the introit to the Mass for the Ascension.

The blue and pink initial V is framed within a painted mosaic border punctuated by truncated quatrelobe medallions at the corners and centres, each containing a bust-length figure of a prophet. Within the initial is a rocky landscape with the Twelve Apostles kneeling in wonder as two angels point out to them the figure of Christ in glory on a bank of clouds above their heads.

No matter how much better one spouse may be than the other at home decorating, its wise to let the artistically challenged one make a few of the decor decisions. After all its your joint home and, if nothing else, it can be a conversation piece.

And he said to them, "Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation. The one who believes and is baptized will be saved; but the one who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: by using my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes in their hands, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover." So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God. And they went out and proclaimed the good news everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by the signs that accompanied it.

Introductory Prayer:Lord, thank you for taking the time to be with me. There are things in life, Lord, that attract me, but you attract me more. I hope in you because you are always faithful to your promises. Maybe I dont fully understand what it means to love, and maybe I dont love the way I should, but I do love you.

Petition: Lord, help me to focus on what I can do to tell others of your love.

1. Christ: When Christ blesses, it happens. When he takes yeast and kneads it with three measures of flour, it leavens the dough all through. When he blesses the bread, it multiplies. When he blesses the Eucharist, he is there for us. Christ blesses his apostles. These are not just events of the past, for Gods word is a living word. He also wants to bless me and my work. How can I draw down Christs blessing upon me, my family, the people I love, and the work I do? All I have to do is ask him to bless me and believe that he can and wants to. He will take care of the rest.

2. Apostles: Imagine the apostles talking after the Ascension. Andrew might say to Peter, Peter, Christ told us to preach to all nations. You are right, Andrew, we need to go to the next town, Peter would agree. No, would urge Andrew, we have to go to Athens and Rome. Peter might object, Athens and Rome! But we dont know anyone there. In an attempt to persuade him Andrew would add, Peter, Jesus wanted us to begin here in Jerusalem because this is the largest Jewish city. However, he has shown that he has also called the Gentiles to the Church. We must go to their capitals, their cities of greatest influence so that they too might hear the message Jesus entrusted to us. Despite their fears, they obeyed Christ and proclaimed the good news in new places.

3. Us: Now it is our turn. As it always has been, being an apostle today is difficult. As we get older, it gets harder. Nevertheless, it is our turn. We live at a crossroads of history. I know Christ is blessing me. He is sending me. I feel fear, but I know he is asking me to imitate the fidelity of the first apostles. He is only waiting for me to begin preaching so that he can bless all that I undertake in his name.

Conversation with Christ: Lord, thank you for coming. Thank you for giving the apostles the strength to resist and persevere. Now it is my turn. Grant me the graces I need to proclaim the good news.

Resolution: I live life but once. So today I will analyze how I use my time and resolve to eliminate one of the bad habits that leads me to waste time.

Mission

When a person needs to leave home on a very long trip, he givesspecial instructions to his loved ones he will be leaving behind onwhat he wishes them to do regarding matters of great importance.

Immediately before Jesus ascended to heaven, he gathered his disciplesand gave them final instructions on matters of utmost importance tohim: Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to the wholecreation. Jesus promised special powers to those who will believe andbe baptized, including the power to lay their hands on the sick, andthey will recover. The disciples believed in Jesus, and they wentthrough all the world preaching the gospel, casting out demons,healing the sick and spreading Christianity. The Son of God became manand lived among us, endured great suffering, including the horribledeath on the cross, in order to bring to mankind the Good News ofGods love for us. He took great pains to make his disciples knowabout this so that they themselves would spread the Good News to allmankind. During his entire public life, Jesus did not go beyond whatwe now know as Israel and its surrounding areas to preach the Gospel.He trusted his disciples to be the ones to go to the whole world andpreach the Gospel to all creation.

What about us modern-day disciples of Christ? Do we truly believe inJesus, enough to obey his instructions to preach the gospel to allcreation? Do we believe Jesus enough to have faith in his promise thathe will help us perform this assignment with the wonderful signs hegives to those who believe? Do we love God enough to want to let thewhole creation know about the Good News of his love for us?

One Bread, One Body

THE MARK OF HUMILITY

"Clothe yourselves with humility, because God 'is stern with the arrogant but to the humble He shows kindness.' " 1 Peter 5:5

After John Mark quit the first missionary journey (Acts 13:13), he changed his mind and was willing to be taken on the second missionary journey (Acts 15:37). This may have been an act of repentance and humility. When Paul refused to take Mark (Acts 15:38), Mark must have eventually accepted this, for Mark was later on good terms with Paul (see Col 4:10; 2 Tm 4:11). This reconciliation required acts of humility from both Mark and Paul. Mark later humbled himself and sought to be discipled and fathered by Peter (see 1 Pt 5:13). Like all Christians, Mark was repeatedly called to humble himself. Mark accepted some of those calls.

As Mark humbled himself, the Lord showed great kindness to him (see 1 Pt 5:5). The Lord promised: "Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled, but whoever humbles himself shall be exalted" (Mt 23:12). In Mark's humility, the Lord exalted him by choosing him to compose one of the Gospels. The Lord even made Mark a canonized saint, internationally recognized for centuries as a model disciple. Even churches and cities are named after Mark. The Lord continues to work through Mark's intercession and ministry in an amazing way.

We can also be exalted like Mark, if we will humble ourselves as Jesus did (see Phil 2:8). Humble yourself.

Prayer: Father, may I humble myself by going to Confession frequently, even monthly, for the rest of my life.

Promise: "They will use My name to expel demons, they will speak entirely new languages, they will be able to handle serpents, they will be able to drink deadly poison without harm, and the sick upon whom they lay their hands will recover." Mk 16:17-18

Praise: St. Mark dropped out of the first mission. He grew in the Spirit and later wrote a Gospel to proclaim Jesus throughout the ages.

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